Drivers’ Pay Dispute Expected To Spread

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30808, 21 July 1965, Page 3

Drivers’ Pay Dispute Expected To Spread

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 20. A national drivers’ stoppage could develop if a dispute between the Wellington Drivers’ Union and four city carrying companies is not settled quickly.

The companies are J. J. Curtis and Company, Ltd., Munt, Cottrell, Ltd., Inter-Island Freight, Ltd., and Curtis Johnston Transport, Ltd. They form one group. J. J. Curtis and Company is the parent firm.

Wellington drivers withdrew labour from them today because of a pay dispute. The union wants aboveaward margins incorporated; in the basic wage rate for' overtime calculations. The : four companies have refused I

to do this. They are backed by the Wellington Carriers’ Association, which has threatened extensive dismissals if the union continues the stoppage. The association’s president, Mr M. Browne, said member companies would ask their drivers to do work for the Curtis group.

If the drivers refused, they would be dismissed immediately. Mr Browne said the employers were determined to stand linn, though they knew a national stoppage was possible. He claimed one Wellington carrying company or another was being “picked on” practically every month over the margins issue. “This kind of thing has gone on long enough. We are not putting up with any more of it,” he said. A quick settlement of the dispute did not look likely today. Mr Browne said the secretary of the union, Mr K. C. Douglas, met briefly this afternoon, disagreed and discontinued their talks. Mr Douglas tonight refused to comment. The union will meet tomorrow to decide its next move. The union has been trying to have margins included in the basic rates for the last five years. It has previously held stop-work meeting on the issue, but this is the first time it has withdrawn labour.